Written by: Sheikh Mubashir Ahmad Rabbani (may Allah protect him)
Question:
Is it permissible to bathe naked when alone? Please clarify with references from the Qur'an and Hadith.
Answer:
It is permissible to bathe naked in privacy, but it is preferable to cover oneself. Imam Bukhari (may Allah have mercy on him) has established a chapter in Sahih Bukhari under Kitab al-Ghusl (Book of Bathing) titled:
"On the Person Who Bathes Naked in Seclusion and the Person Who Bathes While Wearing a Cloth, and Wearing a Cloth is Preferable."
In this regard, Mu’awiyah bin Haidah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
"Allah has more right than the people that one should feel shy before Him."
[Sahih Bukhari, Mu'allaq: 278]
Imam Bukhari (may Allah have mercy on him) has indicated that while bathing naked in privacy is permissible, it is better to cover oneself.
In support of the permissibility of bathing naked in seclusion, Imam Bukhari presented two hadiths. The first is about Prophet Musa (peace be upon him) bathing alone, and the second is about Prophet Ayyub (peace be upon him) also bathing naked in privacy. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) did not disapprove of these actions, indicating that it is permissible in Islamic law to bathe naked when alone. However, it is preferable to cover oneself.
The evidence for the preference of covering oneself is from the hadith narrated by Mu’awiyah bin Haidah (may Allah be pleased with him), where the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) saw a man bathing in the open courtyard of his house and said:
"Indeed, Allah is modest and protective. When any of you bathes, let him cover his body, even if behind a wall."
[Tarikh Jurjan 625/332, referenced in I’ra' al-Ghalil 368/7]
From these authentic hadiths, it is clear that while it is permissible to bathe naked in seclusion, it is better and more virtuous to cover oneself while bathing.
Question:
Is it permissible to bathe naked when alone? Please clarify with references from the Qur'an and Hadith.
Answer:
It is permissible to bathe naked in privacy, but it is preferable to cover oneself. Imam Bukhari (may Allah have mercy on him) has established a chapter in Sahih Bukhari under Kitab al-Ghusl (Book of Bathing) titled:
"On the Person Who Bathes Naked in Seclusion and the Person Who Bathes While Wearing a Cloth, and Wearing a Cloth is Preferable."
In this regard, Mu’awiyah bin Haidah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
"Allah has more right than the people that one should feel shy before Him."
[Sahih Bukhari, Mu'allaq: 278]
Imam Bukhari (may Allah have mercy on him) has indicated that while bathing naked in privacy is permissible, it is better to cover oneself.
In support of the permissibility of bathing naked in seclusion, Imam Bukhari presented two hadiths. The first is about Prophet Musa (peace be upon him) bathing alone, and the second is about Prophet Ayyub (peace be upon him) also bathing naked in privacy. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) did not disapprove of these actions, indicating that it is permissible in Islamic law to bathe naked when alone. However, it is preferable to cover oneself.
The evidence for the preference of covering oneself is from the hadith narrated by Mu’awiyah bin Haidah (may Allah be pleased with him), where the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) saw a man bathing in the open courtyard of his house and said:
"Indeed, Allah is modest and protective. When any of you bathes, let him cover his body, even if behind a wall."
[Tarikh Jurjan 625/332, referenced in I’ra' al-Ghalil 368/7]
From these authentic hadiths, it is clear that while it is permissible to bathe naked in seclusion, it is better and more virtuous to cover oneself while bathing.
